When you combine natural beauty with charming communities, it usually produces some fascinating results.
These are some of the nicest hillside towns you’ll find anywhere on the globe.
1. Volterra, Italy
This pretty town in Tuscany has historical roots that stretch all the way back to the Roman Age. It’s got a fabulous mixture of the old and new and it has even featured recently in the Twilight Saga books. It was supposed to be the hometown of the Volturi vampires in the books. There’s nothing scary about Volterra though, just a lot of natural beauty in the town and the surrounding area.
2. Andalucia, Spain
This famous Spanish region is an excellent place to explore by road. It’s home to some of the nicest hill towns you’ll see anywhere in the world. Some of the most well known towns are Nerja, Zahara, and Grazalema. The link between these communities is known as the Route of the White Hill Towns. It gets its name due to towns’ white buildings. It’s a great area to enjoy the day-to-day life of the local Spanish people.
3. Assisi, Italy
You may recognize the name of this town as being the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi. The town sits in the attractive Umbria region of Italy and you’ll have a great time exploring the numerous medieval castles and churches on display. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Guanajuato, Mexico
This beautiful Mexican town was established way back in 1548. It rises up from a pretty valley and has been built into the local hillsides. Some of the ancient streets are so narrow that cars can’t drive down them. The architecture is quite unique and it’s simply a fascinating sight and hillside town.
5. Cortona, Italy
This is another hill town that’s located in the gorgeous Tuscany region of Italy. Legend has it that the son of Noah founded the town because he liked the height of the hill. It’s quite a popular site with tourists as they visit the town to marvel at the Renaissance architecture as well as the fascinating medieval attractions.
6. Darjeeling, India
This famous hill town in India lies in the nation’s spectacular Darjeeling Himalayan hill region. It’s one of the most well known hill towns in the world and receives thousands of visitors each year. It’s also known for its splendid architecture, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and tea.
7. Machu Picchu, Peru
This world-famous site in Peru is now known as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is believed to have been built by the Incas and is the most recognizable and best-preserved example of their ancient civilization.
8. Montepulciano, Italy
Montepulciano is a medieval town which sits on a limestone ridge. The history of the town dates all the way back to the 3rd century. It’s an ideal location to explore on foot as the streets are car-free. The town is also home to some magnificent attractions and Renaissance architecture.
9. San Gimignano, Italy
Tuscany is filled with hill towns and this is another wonderful example. It’s well known in the region for its spectacular white towers and stunning architecture. You can actually see the towers from miles away. It’s another Italian hill town that was established way back in the 3rd century.
10. Shimla, India
India is another country that has its share of amazing hill towns. Shimla is often referred to as The Queen of Hills. It’s a hotspot with the tourists and lies in the country’s Himachal Pradesh area. It sits in the Himalayas and town is about 7,230 feet above sea level.
